East Hampton Town Airport (JPX) – Wainscott, NY

Updated Sept. 9 2022

East Hampton Town Airport (JPX), located on the eastern part of Long Island, New York, is owned and operated by the Town of East Hampton. With over 100 based aircraft and 25,000 annual operations JPX plays an important role in the National Airspace System and is classified as a Regional General Aviation Airport in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Prior to May 19, 2022, its name was East Hampton Airport and its airport codes were KHTO/HTO.

JPX has been part of a continuing debate for local control stemming from aviation noise. The Town has recently implemented restrictions with disregard for national policy. NBAA joined Friends of the East Hampton Airport to ensure that its members and other general aviation operators continue to have reasonable and reliable access to JPX.

In April 2015, Town of East Hampton adopted three restrictions for aircraft operations at JPX: A year-round general curfew (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.), a year-round extended curfew for so-called “noisy” aircraft (8 p.m. to 9 a.m.) and a one-trip-per-week limit for “noisy” aircraft during the summer.

In July 2015, Federal District Court Judge Joanna Seybert preliminarily upheld the town ordinances instituting the mandatory nighttime curfew, as well as the extended curfew on noisy aircraft. However, the court preliminarily enjoined the law imposing a one-trip-a-week restriction.

NBAA and a coalition of airport users appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to advocate on behalf members, and to ensure that the FAA maintains its authority in matters related to airport and airspace access.

The future of East Hampton Airport continues to be in question as local officials consider options to curtail access to the east Long Island, NY facility following the Sept. 25, 2021, expiration of FAA grant assurances. The potential implementation of such restrictions at JPX is based on the belief the expiration of FAA grant assurances allows the town greater “local control” over its use and could also include curfews or other limitations at the airport. Outright closure is another option under consideration by town officials. Learn more about an Oct. 19, 2021, East Hampton Town Board work session.

Operators at JPX continue to be sensitive to the noise concerns of residents and to fly neighborly. The Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) voluntarily developed three additional “transition” routes to enhance the airport’s noise abatement procedures and help mitigate noise events on the North Fork of Long Island. Review more information on JPX noise mitigation procedures.

For more information on JPX, contact NBAA’s Alex Gertsen at agertsen@nbaa.org.